C20 'is This What You Call Being Busy?'

"Sister, it's been ages since you've been back to the Ellis home. Why not stay the night and spend some time with Uncle and Aunt?" Viola's face brightened with a pleasant smile, the earlier gloom dissipating.

"Yes, absolutely. Lydia, let's have you stay over tonight," Eliza agreed, nodding emphatically.

"Alright."

Lydia saw the hope in her mother's eyes and couldn't bring herself to say no. Yet, she hadn't missed the flash of malice in Viola's gaze. She chose to ignore it, playing along with the facade of sisterly affection.

"Sister, you cut your long hair?!" Viola had been too preoccupied earlier to notice, but now she was genuinely startled. "You always treasured your long hair so much. How could you part with it?"

Because of Reece, that good-for-nothing who wouldn't change his hairstyle.

What was happening today? Why did it seem like this 'cripple' was acting more and more out of character?

"I got tired of the same hairstyle after a while; it was time for something new. The stylist suggested a short cut, so I went for it."

Just like that?

Viola was clearly skeptical but couldn't come up with a counterargument, so the topic was dropped.

After a brief exchange with the Ellis family, Lydia followed her parents up to the third floor.

"Lydia, make do with the guest room tonight. Tomorrow, I'll speak with your grandmother to see if we can arrange for Viola to move back to her original room," Eliza said tenderly as she made the bed.

In her past life, once Lydia was cast out from the Ellis family, she never returned. But she vividly remembered how quickly Viola had claimed her bedroom. Reflecting on this, Lydia couldn't help but smirk at her past naivety—how she had misplaced her love and trust, leading to her tragic end.

Thankfully, fate had granted her a second chance.

This time, she was resolute in reclaiming everything Viola had taken from her, including her rightful bedroom.

Lydia took her mother's hand, her smile gentle. "Mom, there's no rush. When the time comes, I'll take back my bedroom."

"Yes," Eliza said, her eyes misting with pride as she looked at her now sensible and obedient daughter, Lydia. It was as if her daughter had matured overnight, becoming so understanding.

"Mom, what's the matter? Why are you crying again?" Lydia asked, concern flickering in her eyes as she noticed her mother's tears.

Eliza brushed away the tears and tenderly stroked Lydia's hair. "It's nothing, sweetheart. Mom is just happy."

A moment of contemplation crossed Eliza's face before she turned to Lydia with a worried expression. "Lydia, should you give Reece a heads-up about staying with the Ellis family? He might worry if you don't come home for a while."

Worried? Lydia couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh internally. Reece worried about her? Unlikely. He probably couldn't wait for her to stay away.

"I've already sent a text about staying with the Ellis family," Lydia assured her. The message had been sent, but not to Reece—it was to Mrs. Lopez. Lydia saw no point in updating someone who couldn't care less about her whereabouts.

The following morning, Lydia bid her parents a reluctant farewell and hailed a taxi back to the Tillman residence. The villa district didn't allow taxis to enter freely, so Lydia was left to make her way on foot to the Tillman home.

Choosing a shortcut to save time, she found herself on a quiet path. But only a few steps in, she heard the unmistakable sound of laughter from a man and a woman. Lydia's heart lurched, and she couldn't help but glance over.

On an open-air bench, she caught sight of a man and a woman locked in a passionate kiss, their moans barely audible in the still air. The scene flushed Lydia's cheeks with embarrassment, and she quickly averted her eyes, turning to retrace her steps.

But after only a couple of paces, her phone rang at the most inopportune moment. Flustered, she fished it out and saw Reece's number, promptly hitting the decline button. Yet the phone stubbornly rang again and again, leaving her no choice but to answer.

"Why aren't you answering your phone?" Reece's icy inquiry came through before Lydia could even speak.

"I'm busy," she replied curtly.

Indeed, she was—busy trying to escape the awkwardness and avoid interrupting the intimate moment unfolding behind her.

"Busy?"

Reece's disbelief was palpable, and Lydia could sense a hint of annoyance in his cooling tone.

"Yes," Lydia responded nonchalantly, quickening her pace to escape the awkwardness. "Did you need something?"

Before she could process his reply, a large hand clamped around her arm, halting her escape.

Whirling around, Lydia's gaze collided with that of a stranger. The man was strikingly handsome, his curved eyes brimming with mirth, exuding a charm that was nearly impossible to look away from.

Who was this man?

"When will you be home, Loran?"

"I'm almost there."

Reece's voice filtered through the phone, snapping Lydia back to reality. She curtly ended the call and pocketed her phone, oblivious to the man's eyes narrowing at the sight of Reece's name on her screen.

When she looked up again, his smile was even more pronounced.

"Can I help you with something, sir?" Lydia asked, her hand slipping from his grasp.

The man tilted his body toward her, his lips grazing her ear as he murmured provocatively, "You've scared off my sweet treat and wrecked my date. Don't you think you owe me for that?"

Was this the same man from the bench earlier?

Her nearsightedness meant she could barely distinguish features beyond a few feet, so it was only now that she recognized him.

Ah, it was him!

A laugh escaped Lydia, and she retorted lightly, "Isn't it a bit difficult to expect privacy in such an open place? Sir, isn't it your own fault for picking such a spot? Why blame someone else for your troubles?"

The man paused, clearly taken aback by her boldness.

He studied Lydia with renewed interest, thumbing her chin playfully. "Tsk... A sharp-tongued little thing like you is just my type. How about you make it up to me?"

"Moron!"

With that, Lydia turned on her heel and strode away.

But in a heartbeat, she found herself pinned against a nearby column.

"Let go of me!" Lydia's voice rose in alarm as she struggled against his hold.

The man's face drew close, his voice a soft whisper, "Author Lee."

"What?" Lydia was baffled by the man's words, her eyes wide with astonishment as she stared at him.

He towered over her, his gaze sweeping from her clear, expressive eyes down to her lips, which reminded him of petals on the verge of blooming. A strange flutter stirred in his chest, especially when she pursed her lips—a gesture that ignited a fire within him and a sudden urge to kiss her.

"Remember, my name is Author," he said, his voice a warm caress. His alluring lips involuntarily inched closer to hers...

By sheer coincidence, Reece happened upon this intimate moment as he was heading to the office.

His eyes narrowed when he saw Author leaning in to kiss Lydia, a contemplative look crossing his face. Noticing Lydia's lack of response, he strode over in a fury.

With a grip like a vice, he snatched Author by the collar and tossed him aside. He then scooped the dazed Lydia into his arms and demanded icily, "Is this your idea of being 'busy'?"